Clarington wrestler Ben Flint gets set to grapple the Nationals

Clarington Central Secondary School student heads to New Brunswick for national wrestling championship

Wrestler Ben Flint gets set to grapple the Nationals

Jason Liebregts / Metroland

BOWMANVILLE -- Clarington Secondary School's Ben Flint will be heading to the National Wrestling Championships in New Brunswick in April. Flint recently won gold at the Ontario Winter Games in Collingwood and expects to do quite well in Fredricton. March 29, 2012

BOWMANVILLE -- With two provincial gold medals under his belt, Clarington's Ben Flint is hoping to wrestle his way to another gold at the national championships in New Brunswick this April.

Flint competed in the 2012 cadet/juvenile provincial championship in February, and brought home the gold medal, but his biggest accomplishment to date came when he competed in the Ontario Winter Games in Collingwood and received another gold medal for his efforts.

"It was amazing. I felt like I was top notch and I wanted to push myself further and do better," Flint said.

The cost of going to the nationals isn't cheap. While the entrance fees for applicants may be low, the cost of travel and accommodation are the main expenditures Flint needs to cover. To do this he and his family organized fundraisers to cover the cost of the trip.

Flint also competes with his school team at Clarington Central and just recently came third in the LOSSA championships.

"I felt I didn't do the best at LOSSA because I placed third," said Flint, who was named MVP of his high school wrestling team. "I'm always striving to do better."

While the Olympic wrestling qualifiers are currently going on in Florida, it might be a while before Flint has the chance and the skill to compete on the world stage.

However, being on Team Impact, formerly known as the Oshawa Olympic Wrestling Club, doesn't hurt his chances. Since its inception in 1973, the club has produced numerous national champions.

The promising start Flint has shown with his victories in February and March shows his dedication and determination to the sport and also his willingness to push himself to do better even when he is at his best.